It’s
International Surfing Day! Celebrate by hanging ten, or getting some
serious inspiration from one of our fave surfer girls. Maya’s 24
and at the top of her game. Here’s what else she has to say about
tackling some the of world’s biggest waves...

GL: Any tips
on dominating a sport that’s so filled with guys?

MG: I think
respect means a lot. But I think it’s also about working hard—guys
always want to see that you’re fully committed and really know what
you’re doing, so they’ll give you some respect. But I got really
lucky because Carlos Brule, my tow partner, became my manager at a
young age, I was 19 and I got to travel around with him everywhere
and share the jet ski with him and I got to learn the waves when they
were super super big. It’s always great if you can go out with
someone more experienced and they can show you the way.

GL:
How do you cross-train?MG: It all really depends on how much I’m
surfing, especially big waves. If I’m doing big waves and if I’m
really active, I’ll surf more than train. But if I’m in the
off-season, I’ll probably do yoga four times a week and then go
into the gym three times a week.

GL: What’s going through
your mind when you’re at the top of a huge wave?MG: Not much!
You’re totally in that moment, it’s very instinctive to block
everything out and live it intensively to make the wave and not fall.
You have so much adrenaline that you’re not really thinking, just
feeling.

GL:
What’s your daily diet like when you’re training?

MG:
Complex carbs to maintain the level of energy throughout the day, but
more protein than carbs and lots of vegetables and fruits!